What A Magical Night In The Bronx September 25, 2014

Normally the words Magical and the Bronx aren't normally heard together in the same sentence. But sitting in my seats at Yankee Stadium last watching the events of the evening unfold in such a storybook manner were truly magical. You couldn't write the ending to that game any better. It was amazing to see the normally reserved Derek Jeter show some emotion. The ballpark was rocking, even after the Orioles tied the game in the 9th inning. People knew that they would get one last chance to see Jeter at the plate. He didn't disappoint.

Now I know what Yankees fans felt when Mickey Mantle walked off into the sunset. I know some of you will say that I am exaggerating when I say this but for Yankees fans like me who lived through the dark years of the late 80's and early 90's and the subsequent dynasty years of 1996-2001, Derek Jeter is our generation's Mantle. We saw him debut as a fresh faced prospect and walk away and elder of the game. The franchise now has to rebuild. The team has no face to it. No Captain. In essence the team has a clean slate. But I digress. I had the privilege as a season ticket holder of watching both Mariano Rivera's and Derek Jeter's last game in Yankee Pinstripes. Those were two experiences that I wouldn't trade for the world.

Thank you Derek Jeter for all the effort and moments you gave us Yankee fans during your twenty year career. Going to the ballpark in the Bronx next year will not be the same without you.

Until Then Keep Playing Ball,
Baseball Sisco
#baseballsisco
#baseballsiscokidstyle

Mariano Blows Three Straight Saves

The Detroit Tigers led by reigning American League MVP Miguel Cabrera strike again against Yankees closer Mariano Rivera. As with Friday night, the Tigers struck with the longball against Rivera to make history. According to Michael Kay on the Yankees' broadcast:

- Mariano Rivera has never blown three straight saves
- Rivera has only allowed two homers in one inning five times, this was third time since 1996
- The two home runs by Cabrera and Martinez are the first two home runs to blow a save. Other four times it happened as follows: twice as a starter, one in a blow out, one in a tied game
- In 56 games against Detroit, Rivera had only given up 2 homers. This weekend he's given up 3 in two games
- In last 25 years, three straight blown saves by a Yankees closer/reliever has only happened twice: Dave Righetti in 1988 and Kyle Farnsworth in 2006
- Miguel Cabrera is the fifth player with multiple career home runs against Rivera and first to do so in consecutive at-bats

This shows how deep that Detroit Tigers lineup is and how much of an amazing player Miguel Cabrera is. We really are watching one of the best offensive players to ever lace up a pair of cleats. And about the other player who is considered the best in his position? I'm not worried about Mariano. Its part of the game. Though never let it be said that Rivera's last year would be anything but interesting.

Sisco Kid

Mariano Rivera's Last All-Star Appearance

(PHOTO: Matt Slocum/AP Photo)

So there are some who are complaining about Jim Leyland putting Mariano Rivera in during the 8th inning in last night's All-Star Game rather than in the 9th. This is my take on it.

Leyland was being safe by making sure Mo got in the game. It's not like he pulled a Cito Gaston and not putting him in at all a-la Mike Mussina in 1993. What if the National League got 4 runs in the bottom of the 8th against someone else on the mound and won the game with Mo waiting in the bullpen. THAT would have been worse. Leyland found himself in a no-win situation with the home field belonging to the N.L. He got Mo got in the game. This is what Mo had to say:

"I wanted to pitch," Rivera said. "Anything can happen. Leyland wanted to make sure I pitch, so it was a great idea. I appreciate him giving me the opportunity, here in New York. I think it was perfect."

Mo had his moment. his final All-Star standing ovation by the fans AND fellow All-Stars, a Mariano-like 1-2-3 inning plus the MVP Award to boot. As a Yankees fan, that's all I care about. Agree? Disagree?

For the record, Mariano Rivera is a 13-time All Star (1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013) appearing in 9 games (1997, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2013) and finishing with a 0.00 ERA with 4-saves, 5-hits allowed, 5-strikeouts, no walks and only 1-unearned run allowed. No bad. Not bad at all.

Sisco Kid

Mariano, Papelbon and Free Agency

It was reported by Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman through his Twitter feed that the legendary closer for the New York Yankees Mariano Rivera is close to signing a 2-year 30 million dollar contract. Heyman also revealed that there were other teams interested in retaining his services included the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Yankees' division and historic rival the Boston Red Sox.

So let's just say that we live in some bizarro world and Mariano had signed with Boston. A question would have remained unanswered: What would have happened to Jonathan Papelbon. It would be feasible that the Red Sox could keep both to arguably have the best bullpen in Baseball. The thought of having Josh Bard, Jonathan Papelbon and Mariano Rivera as the 7-8-9 innings option is just downright scary. According to Gordon Eddes of ESPNBoston.com, the Red Sox were planned to non-tender Papelbon thereby releasing him making him a free-agent if in fact they had signed Mariano.

Knowing that, does the intended free agent pursuit of Mariano Rivera finally destroy the relationship between the Red Sox and Papelbon? As it is the relationship has been rocky to say the least. Compounding the issue is the point of view from the Red Sox that Papelbon has been in decline since his 2006 season when he posted a 4-2 record with a 0.92 ERA with 35 saves in 59 games. Papelbon struck out 75 batters while walking only 13 and giving up 40 hits in 68.1 innings for a WHIP of 0.776. Compare that with this past season where Papelbon posted a 5-7 record with a 3.90 ERA with 37 saves in 65 games. Papelbon struck out 76 batters while walking a career high 28 and giving up 57 hits in 67 innings for a WHIP of 1.269. Add to the mix the fact that Papelbon has been at odds with the team due to Papelbon's inability to admit to his mistakes when said mistakes led to losses by the team.

To be honest, I never believed that Papelbon would resign with the team after his current contract ended. I have heard for years that Papelbon wants to return to a starting role and that will not happen in Boston. In the case of Rivera being signed by the Red Sox to replace Papelbon, there is no shame in being replaced by the best closer in the game. But then again it's easy for me to say since he's not coming to replace me. We'll see how the drama unfolds from Beantown this upcoming season.

FH

For Further Reading:
- Click Here for Michael S. Schmidt's article from the NYTimes.com webpage from December 3, 2010 called Rivera and Yanks Near Two-Year Deal
- Click Here for Gordon Eddes article from the ESPNBoston.com webpage from December 3, 2010 called Source: Sox courted Mariano Rivera
- Click Here for Nick Cafardo's article from the Boston.com webpage from December 3, 2010 called Sox pursued Mariano?
- Click Here for Johnathan Papelbon's career statistics from Baseball-Reference.com